The properties of metals, including physical, chemical, and conductive properties, help define what makes a substance a metal. These properties vary between metals and are important in determining their uses, such as in frying pans or building materials.
With more than 70 different types of metals on the planet, some may wonder what defines a substance as a metal. The properties of metals help describe what characteristics a substance typically has that make it a metal, rather than an alloy or nonmetallic element. They also help distinguish one metal from another, as no two metals will share exactly the same properties. Physical properties, chemical properties, and conductive properties are all areas looked at to help define a metal type.
In terms of the physical properties of metals, they tend to share some common traits. Most metals are ductile, meaning they can be pulled and twisted into wire and wire. Metals are also generally very malleable, meaning they can be hammered or pressed into sheets. Another very common physical property is gloss or degree of sheen. Metals tend to be considerably shinier or shinier than non-metallic elements.
The chemical properties of metals refer to how substances react with other elements. Most metals, for example, react to oxygen over time, in a process known as oxidation. Oxidation is what rust on iron or corrosion of copper represents. Some metals react with acids, while others, such as sodium, react strongly and violently with water. Not all metals have the same chemical properties; examining these properties is one way to distinguish one type of metal from another.
Many metals have a high level of conductivity, which means they are good at moving heat or electricity. Not all metals have the same level of conductivity, and the temperature at which a metal is most conductive can vary between substances. Copper and aluminum are highly conductive metals; tungsten and zinc are much less conductive.
Understanding the properties of metals is vital to determining substance use in almost any situation. For example, cast iron may be good for frying pans because it conducts heat well, but it’s too brittle to work well as a building material. Metallic wires are typically made of highly ductile, conductive substances, as they are easier to form into long, twisted wires. In welding, metals that melt and melt easily are preferred. Without a proper understanding of the properties of metals, it’s impossible to know whether a beam will support a building or a ring will oxidize within months or decades.
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